Dear Friends,
Parshat Tetzaveh is another fascinating parsha; one that describes the clothing of the high priest. Again, as with the building directions of the Mishkan, the writing is detailed, colorful and crisp. Aaron, one of my favorite characters in Torah, wears a breastplate on his chest with twelve jewels, one for each tribe. In addition to the other articles of clothing that he wears, this one must have been both colorful and weighty. That jewel embossed breastplate carried important messages for Aaron; that he would not forget God, that he would not forget himself or the people he represented. Clothing is a good reminder of who we can be. and more importantly, what we represent. It provides us with an identity, but clothing cannot cover character. It cannot change who we are. It cannot change our hearts.
Leann
ET
Once
long ago
in a film
from the land of Hollywood
came ET,
the little alien
from so far away,
who showed his love
with his heart
that thumped
beneath his wrinkled
and greenish skin.
His heart glowed red;
beating and pulsating
in his chest
with love, with life.
ET extended
His impossibly long fingers
to his friend.
He shared his knowledge,
his love
and he left.
He left behind
the glow of his heart.
His goodness
stayed long after he was gone.
2. The Tin Man
Once there was a man
who wore a suit of tin
over what he thought
was a body devoid
of a heart.
It took a young girl
with guts and gumption
to bring the gift
of a mechanical heart
to help him believe
that he mattered
and that his tin skin
protected the Goodness
that was there all along.
3. The Woman With a Tatoo
Once there was a woman
who had a tattoo on her arm.
She did not ask for it
but it was hers nevertheless.
The man who gave it to her
had no generosity of spirit.
He wore a crisp uniform
of woven wool
and shiny black boots
and he carried a whip.
Sometimes attire covers
a beating red heart
and
sometimes it covers
a pit of darkness.
4. The King Who Wore No Clothes
Once there was a king
who wore no clothes at all
but insisted he was grand.
He walked about
as naked as the day he was born
but insisted that
his imagined robes,
made him royalty;
important, indeed.
No clothes,
just hanging flesh and bones
and a heart
swollen with pride,
but not much else.
5. Aaron The Priest
Once, many years ago
in a windy desert
there was man,
a special man
who spoke well.
Aaron was his name.
He was a brother
and a father.
He carried the weight
of a nation
on his very human chest.
Twelve heavy jewels
covered his good
and very human heart.
Following his heart,
he pursued peace.
Despite wearing clothing
designed by God
he was not protected
from heartache.
And one day
when he left this world
he left behind
the glow of his heart,
his good will.
His goodness,
remembered long
after he was gone.
6. Conclusion
Clothes of all kinds,
cloth and fabric
cover our skin
but they cannot cover
what lies beneath.
They cannot cover
our hearts.
Exodus 28:29
Translation #1
(29) Aaron shall carry the names of the children of Israel on the breastpiece of decision over his heart, when he enters the sanctuary, for remembrance before the LORD at all times. (30)
Translation from Sefaria
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PS It was brought to my attention that soon it will be Valentine's Day. I guess that this would also be an appropriate to celebrate love emanating from our hearts!